Re: How much does a dino weigh?

[Marilyn Wegweiser <mdwegweiser@bsuvc.bsu.edu>]

Jumping in late - and I am way behind in my eamil - so please forgive 
me if this has already been addressed; However:

You can calculate/guesstimate the weight of an organism, from the 
depth of its trackway. Lots of integral calculus occurs here, and you 
need a topographic map of the animal. You need to know the sediment 
compaction rate/time, as well as the sedimentology/mineralogy, 
porosity and permeability, and grain shape. Some things are 
standards. Grind and chug. Estimation of organism weight comes out at 
the end. We do it with inverts. ;^)
(no, you may not wash my mouth out with soap for saying the nasty "I" word)


At 9:27 AM -0500 01/27/2001, philidor11 wrote:
> <I) Many of the models used in past studies were artist impressions rather
> than accurately measured reconstructions of a particular specimen.<SNIP>

<SNIP - good stuff>

> (A moment, please, to savor the picture of Moriarty in a cold fury at the
> sluggishness of his cadet students learning to factor an equation while
> impatient to get back to controlling almost all crime in London.)
> You haven't had a European vogue with any of your theories have you?  he
> wondered nervously.


I am a member of the Sherlockian Society of the GSA. In grand 
recognition of your *most excellent* way of bringing a reference to 
Sherlock Holmes in to the conversation, we will now, all rise, face 
you, and do the appropriate thing. Now, We Will Refill. <smirk> I 
sure do miss those dinner parties. Wonder if there will be one in 
Boston.

Best regards,
Marilyn W.
(yes, I am a stratigrapher;^))



--
                                =00=  =00=  =00=  =00=
                                Marilyn D. Wegweiser, Ph.D.
                                Adjunct Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology
                                Cincinnati Natural History Museum

                                Assistant Professor of Geology
                                Department of Geology
                                Ball State University
                                Muncie, Indiana
                                mdwegweiser@bsu.edu
                                Office: 765-285-8268; 765-285-8270
                                FAX:    765-285-8265